[Long-term results in the treatment of clubfoot]

Long-term results in the treatment of congenital clubfoot are reported. The average follow-up time was 17.7 years (10-29.4 years). All 104 patients (148 clubfeet) were followed up personally. In addition to the clinical examination, a podogram was made and evaluated. Results were good to very good in 97% of patients with regard to complaints, in 83% concerning the level of functional ability, in 69% regarding clinical aspects of the foot, in 58% with regard to measurements of the podogram, and in 27% regarding movement. In clinical aspects and measurement of the podogram, significantly better results were obtained if the first operative correction took place within the first year of life. In patients in whom the anterior tibial tendon had been transferred, there was a higher percentage of falling medial arches. Patients in whom rotational osteotomy of the tibia had been carried out showed better foot position in relation to the femoral axis and worse foot position in relation to the malleolar axis than those in whom this operation had not been performed.